Rather than a general assembly of its members, this was technically more a gathering of interested parties, as up to then the association didn’t have any membership available. This was therefore the first step forward as during the meeting people were handed out forms they could fill in and return to become a member. The membership fees have been set at 50 euros.Several types of memberships are considered, including - Standard membership (anybody interested and willing to take part in the class)- Owner membership (anybody also being owner of a Classe 9.50 yacht)- Grantor membership (anybody having offered the class financial or technical support)

Note: Fees for the Owner membership might be raised to 100 euros later on Grantor members might have a consultative voting power

That was also the opportunity for JM Vidal to present the current partners of the class, mostly companies promoting environmentally friendly technologies. Each four of them has offered the class 2000 euros to build up a small fund that will enable the class to upgrade to a proper website, purchase some measurement tools and start hiring an independent person in charge of the measurements.

The audience was made of about 25 people, including numerous designers and yard representatives.

JM Vidal started by presenting the members of the administration committee (which I am part of for the time being) and then detailed the ‘history’ of the class, where it was coming from and what had been achieved up to now. He stressed the fact that the administration (civil authorities) had been very long to get back to them which was a necessary step before asking the French Sailing Federation for its approval/recognition. At the present date, the Federation has sent back a note asking for some precisions and modifications about the rule. (Nothing concerning the main dimensions, more some details and precisions) Some measures the Federation mentioned, like raising the companionway to no lower than the local sheerline, or having the mandatory 90° test on each side have been let down. Some others like having a clause of precedence, and rephrasing some of the articles have been adopted.

Some discussion took place concerning the necessity of the trysail. Marc Lombard (designer of the Akilaria 9.50) suggested that the staysails could be made to be used also as a trysail…

One person in the audience stressed the necessity for the rule to stay as close as possible to the OSR cat 1 regulations so that boats can compete independently in the classic offshore races.

The discussion then drifted towards a technical argumentation between some designers, mainly about the STIX modifications that should happen fairly soon (unsinkable bonus replaced by a less effective measure + unsinkable boats have to comply to the stability limits for their category –previously, they were allowed to comply with the next lower category limits)

M Lombard pointed out the fact that boats only complying with the lower stability limit of the 90° test could not pass the STIX for Cat A, making the lower part of the righting moment range at 90° irrelevant.

M Lombard went on to a long talk on the necessity for the class to have a powerful and uncorrupted measurement commission. Having taken part in the ORMA, IMOCA and more recently the Class 40 classes, a rigorous and powerful arbitration is the only way in his views, to prevent the class from drifting towards an expensive, professional and prototype boat class. The only way to keep the class running and exciting on the long term is to maintain it accessible to ‘amateur’ owners. (Personal note: look at the success of the owner driver classes such as Mumm30, Farr 40, etc…)

The discussion then moved on to the construction of the boats, whether or not to allow the ‘kiwi preg’ (home made prepreg), somebody mentioned that the measurement commission could be allowed to make surpise visits to the yards, to prevent from cheating.

As far as races are concerned, JM Vidal listed several existing races that are happy to welcome the class 9.50s (Channel Race, Petit Bateau, Barquera, Mini Max, Tour de Corse…)Some work is being done on specific races, but it is necessary for the fleet to develop beforehand. Those races would be mainly double handed, featuring the same venue/harbour as starting and finish line and would be organised in the Med as well as on the Atlantic/Channel coasts. (Personal note: an intermediate step will more likely be the integration into the well established offshore races with a specific ranking)

The question as to whether or not allowing the Bongo 9.60 (P Rolland designed ‘offshore typed’ yachts, built by 3C Composite in Brittany) into the races has been raised. The committee seems keen to boost up the number of players. However, although the potential of the standard version of the bongo doesn’t seem faster despite of a longer waterline, some concerns were raised about the drifts that could happen if somebody turns up with an ‘upgraded’ version…

To sum up:- Many questions have been raised and are now waiting for answers. - There seems to be a strong will to apply a very firm control on the boats to prevent from a drift similar to what happen in the class 40.- The race program will develop as the fleet does. For the time being, it is made of existing offshore races- One has now the opportunity to become a member of the class and get involved as he/she wishes. - It is time to get some boats on the water.

To my knowledge, Akilaria has sold 1 or 2 boats (could be 3 now that the boat show is over), the first one (Lombard’s own boat) will be available for testing during the winter, and will race the Spi Ouest France as well as the Barquera. I think there is one boat being sold/built at ACM Marine (South of France) out of Plywood/Epoxy on drawings from François Lucas. The first (prototype) FoX is on its way, will be sailing in March and is up for sale. Female tooling for series production should be ready by January/February.

Yes, focus seems to be (or want to be) on double handed racing and amateur owners.

Setting up owner-driver (no ISAF grade 1) rules have been suggested after the assembly. Such a measure doesn't sound too stupid to me considering the 'pros' can still crew as most of the racing will be double handed. Would be interesting to get some opnions about it from the interested parties...